City of Cathedral City, CA
10/01/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/01/2025 13:32
Cathedral City High School Students to Star in Powerful Anti-Bullying Production at CVRep
Two Cathedral City High School students will take the stage next month in a hard-hitting theatrical production addressing bullying and gun violence.
Mayasil Gracia and recent graduate Rigo Oropeza have been cast in Coachella Valley Repertory's youth production of Power Play, a one-act play by Canadian playwright Lindsay Price that confronts the harsh realities of school violence head-on.
The production, running October 7-10 at CVRep's Cathedral City theater, features ten high school students from across the valley who were selected following auditions. All five roles in the play have been double-cast due to the exceptional talent of the young actors.
"The many student actors that I met were so talented that I was able to double-cast all of the five roles," said director Howard Shangraw, CVRep's Director of Conservatory and Youth Outreach.
A Timely Message
The production comes during National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month and explores what playwright Price calls the "boxes" that define high school students: beauty queen, goth girl, athlete, funny fat kid - before blowing those stereotypes apart.
"Violence is all about power. So is high school," Price explains, noting that the play delivers a powerful message about bullying, verbal abuse, and the horror of school shootings.
Following each performance, representatives from BOO2BULLYING, a Palm Springs youth empowerment and suicide prevention organization, will moderate post-show discussions where students can ask questions and seek resources.
Free Performances for Students
Student performances are FREE, and CVRep will provide transportation to and from schools. Shows run Tuesday through Friday, October 7-10 at 10:00 a.m.
Parents should note that the production contains graphic and intense content, including a non-functioning gun prop and the sound of gunfire.
The production is made possible through support from the Anderson Children's Foundation and a generous gift from Bob and Lori McCleskey.
For tickets and information: Visit www.cvrep.org or call (760) 296-2966, ext. 105.
City of Cathedral City, CA published this content on October 01, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 01, 2025 at 19:32 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]